Under the Radar Game of the Day: Stephen F Austin at Sam Houston State

Stephen F. Austin at Sam Houston State, 9:00 PM Eastern, ASN/southlanddigitalnetwork.com

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Despite a couple of huge games in other Under the Radar conferences (most notably the Colonial and Ohio Valley) tonight, the Under the Radar Game of the Day can never resist a chance to focus in on the Battle of the Piney Woods in Hunstville, Texas, as the Southland’s two most bitter rivals, Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston State, square off for the first time this season tonight.  Tonight’s battle is even more notable as the host Bearkats have lost 13 straight games in the series and currently trail it overall 105-94.  Sam Houston State enters play tonight at 16-6 overall and 7-2 in Southland play, half a game ahead of surprising New Orleans and in first place.  After opening conference play 0-2, the Bearkats have won 7 in a row, including a picking up a win at New Orleans in mid-January and defeating Southeastern Louisiana 71-69 over the weekend.  Four players were in double figures for the ‘Kats in the win this weekend, led by 16 from Aurimas Majauskas.

Stephen F. Austin entered this season having won an amazing 59 of their last 60 games against SLC foes.  With many of the key players from those teams gone, and Brad Underwood now coaching at Oklahoma State, it did not shock us too much to see the Lumberjacks start league play 1-2.  It is almost more surprising that they have won 5 of 6 since then to improve to 6-3 in league play (11-10 overall) and move within one game of first place.  Ivan Canete led his team with 14 points in a big home win over the weekend against New Orleans.  If the Lumberjacks can take down their rival on the road tonight, they will send a message that just because the names on the roster and on the bench have changed, they are still ready to make a run at the conference title and a return trip to the Big Dance.

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